The Stamp Workshop

Three Wise Men

I'm happy to finally a post a new card!

I am currently working on projects for a craft fair. Most of the stuff I am working on is for the Christmas season. Here is one that I produced for a swap.

I tried something a bit different (for me anyway) with this card.  I do a lot of water coloring, but this time I colored using rubbing alcohol.  I tried Copic Markers and really liked the way the ink looked on the paper.  Well, at $6 a marker and over 300 colors, I decided that I just shouldn't go down that road quite yet.  I read on various message boards that you could use alcohol and ink refills to get a similar result.

I filled an Aqua-painter with rubbing alcohol and proceeded to color by picking up ink that I smooshed onto the inkpad's cover.  To smoosh the color, take your Stampin' Up! classic ink pad and while the inkpad is closed smoosh the top cover into the ink pad.  This transfers a bit of color onto the inside of the cover.  Then open you pad and dip the aquapainter into the transferred ink.

I used versamark and black embossing powder to emboss the image, then I colored it in.  the embossing helped to keep the color were it was supposed to be.   It also gave it a bit of a more polished look.

It's hard to see in this picture (okay it's really non-existant in the picture), but there are glitter accents on each headpiece and on the lids of the jars.  I cut out the image and raised it with pop-dots.  I also stamped the image onto the base and adhered the image right over it.

Here's the recipe for this card:
Stamps: Holy Triptych, Season of Simple Grace, Baroque Motifs
Cardstock: Pale Plum, Perfect Plum, Always Artichoke, Whisper White
Ink: Pale Plum, Perfect Plum, Always Artichoke, Ballet Blue, Bashful Blue, Really Rust, Barely Banana, Basic Black, Versamark
Ribbon: Always Artichoke Grosgrain
Accessories: Pop-Dots
Tools: Aquapainter, Distresser Tool

When this set first came out about a year ago, I made a Triptych with it.  Check out this post to see the details.

I hope you enjoyed my two samples! If you have any questions about this card or the triptych, feel free to contact me at Michelle@stampworkshop.com

Enjoy!

Here's the Other...

In yesterday's post, I said I post another card using Love Owl-lways.  Here it is!

I used Stampin' Up!'s paper piercing template from the Mat Pack to make the dots in the corners.  I again used the designer series paper from the Holiday Happenings Bundle.  The heart is colored using Pink Pirouette ink and an aqua painter.

Here's the recipe for this card:
Stamps: Love Owl-lways
Cardstock: Kiwi Kiss, Baja Breeze, Pink Pirouette, Whisper White
Ink: Pink Pirouette, Jet Black StazOn
Designer Series Paper: Holiday Happenings
Accessories: Silver Brads
Tools: Paper Piercer, Paper Piercing Template, Oval Punches (Small, Large, Wide)

Enjoy!

Owl-lways for You

I know it isn't even Halloween yet, but here is a Valentine's card for you!  This Owl is from a set in the new Holiday Mini called Love Owl-lways.  There are six stamps in this set.

I watercolored this Owl using an aquapainter (which by the way are on sale for $7.95).  With your stamp pad closed, smoosh the top in a few times.  This will transfer some ink onto the inside cover.  Open your stamp pad.  Use your aquapainter to lift some ink and then apply it to your paper.  Then, paint away!  Be sure to use a permanent ink like StazOn for your stamp.  This will keep the image from running.

Here's the recipe for this card:
Stamps: Love Owl-lways
Cardstock: CLose to Cocoa, Riding Hood Red, Whisper White
Ink: Riding Hood Red, Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Basic Black, StazOn Jet Black
Designer Series Paper: Holiday Happenings
Ribbon: Caramel Gingham Ribbon

I have another card using a stamp in this same set that I will post tomorrow, so be sure to come back to visit.  *smile*

If you have any questions about this card, feel free to contact me at Michelle@stampworkshop.com

Enjoy!

Baby It's Cold Outside - Not!

So here is the snowman that I have fallen in love with!  I feel kind of funny posting this today though.   It's what, Oct 1st.  It's supposed to be nice and cool out. Well, not in SoCal!  Can you believe it's 96 degrees right now???  96!  We are having a scorcher today.  Luckily it's supposed to be about 15 degrees cooler tomorrow.

Here is a card that uses some of the new Alpine Ribbon Originals.  You can find this ribbon in the 2008 Holiday Mini that debuted today.  It's really neat ribbon!  It's felt and a bit thick.  It's stitched with white.  It comes in two 4 yard spools, for a total of 8 yards.  It also comes with another roll of ribbon with another design.

Here's the recipe for this card:
Stamps: Two Cool Dudes
Cardstock: Night of Navy, Bashful Blue, Close to Cocoa, Glossy White
Ink: Night of Navy, Tangerine Tango
Ribbon: Alpine Ribbon Originals
Accessories: Silver Brads
Tools: Blender pen (to apply Tangerine Tango to nose and dots), Ticket Punch, Paper Piercer, Paper Distresser

Trying to stay cool!

Shadowed Daisies

In the Fall Winter 08 Idea Book & Catalog, there are a lot of "silhouette" stamps.  This stamp here is from the set Upsy Daisy.  I won this set at Convention.  Here's a picture of Missi and me during that happy moment!  (Click)

I made this card for, yeah, you guessed it, a swap.  I did up 16 of these.

First I stamped the Daisy image in Pacific point then inked the image with Bashful Blue and stamped again just to the right.  I didn't use a Stamp-a-ma-jig, but it came out pretty good!  This technique is called Shadowing.  So basically what you do with Shadowing is take your image and stamp in a darker color first.  Then take a lighter color and stamp the same image off to the side just a bit.  It makes a "shadow".  Very easy!  This technique works best with solid images as opposed to line art images.

Notice the big oval in the corner.  That's the new Wide Oval punch.  It doesn't have a "mate" so, I just punched the same oval, but in a different color and then layered it offset.  I think it does the job.  lol

I stamped on Glossy White.  I think it's the best cardstock for bold images.  The image doesn't come out with white splotches.  It's a nice even image.

Here's the recipe for this card:
Stamps: Upsy Daisy, Sanded
Cardstock: Pacific Point, Bashful Blue, Glossy White
Ink: Pacific Point, Bashful Blue
Ribbon: Light Blue Gingham
Accessories: Dimensionals
Tools: Wide Oval Punch, paper piercer

If you have any questions about this card or need more specific directions, feel free to contact me at Michelle@stampworkshop.com

Go Stamp!

Wow! Two Cool!

Here's yesterday's card jazzed up just a bit.  And yes, I know it should be "Too" Cool in Ten and not "Two".  *wink*

So do you think it's a bit WOWed?  I made 7 additions to the card and it completely changed it.  The changes weren't all that difficult either!

Here's what I did:

• Added a Riding Hood Red layer
• Stamped Baja Breeze layer with Canvas background stamp inked with VersaMark
• Used a blender pen to pick up Riding Hood Red ink to color in the snowman's nose and the dots in the word background
• Distressed the edges of the Night of Navy cardstock framing the image
• Used dimensionals to pop up the main image
• Added a Riding Hood Red Felt Snowflake
• Added three silver brads to the corner

I like how the Riding Hood red gives the card a little but of pop.  That small accent helps to break up the monotone of the card.

Here's the recipe for this card:
Stamps: Two Cool Dudes, Canvas
Cardstock: Night of Navy, Baja Breeze, Glossy White, Riding Hood Red
Ink: Night of Navy, Versamark
Accessories: Riding Hood Red Felt Snowflake, Silver Brads, Dimensionals
Tools: Paper Piercer, Distresser Tool

If you have any questions about this card, feel free to contact me at Michelle@stampworkshop.com.

Leave me a comment and let me know what you think.  Hope you like it!

Happy Stampin'!

Lots of Great Sample Cards!

This is a card done by Sharon (TexasStampin) on Splitcoaststampers. I hosted a Fall Winter 08 New stamp Set swap and this was one of the cards. There was a pretty good turn out. I had 5 groups with 10 people in each group. The level of the cards that were submitted were amazing!

I wanted to share these wonderful cards, so I created an album to showcase them. You can check out the entire album here.

Have a look at these wonderful cards! I have indicated the creator's SCS user name next to the name of the stamp set they used. When you are done looking, come back here and post a few comments about your favorites!

Enjoy!

Two Cool in Ten

It's Ten Minute Tuesday!  But first off, yes, I know it should be "Too" Cool in Ten and not "Two".  But, I titled this post as it is because the stamp set I used is called Two Cool Dudes.

This set is one that I came home from Convention with.  I got it as a Thank You for some work I did at Convention.  It's really a cute set.  There are two snowmen in this set.  This is the bigger of the two.   Don't you think he's cute?

Anyway, this card took me all of about 5 minutes to do.   Sweet, simple, no embellishments.

Here's a hint when stamping images that are bolder/solid.  Use glossy paper!  Solid images just seem to be more crisp on glossy paper.  The ink evens out more so than on regular cardstock.

Here's the recipe for this card:
Stamps: Two Cool Dudes
Cardstock: Night of Navy, Baja Breeze, Glossy White
Ink: Night of Navy

If you have any questions about this card, feel free to contact me at Michelle@stampworkshop.com. Leave me a comment and let me know what you think. And don't forget to come back on Wednesday for WOW-It Wednesday.

Stay cool!

Thank You Card

I've finally gotten back into the groove of making cards.  I thought with the kids back in school, that I'd have more time to create.  Boy, was I totally wrong!  I am busier than ever.  I hate to admit it, but I may have volunteered for one too many programs at the school, scouts and all the other things we have going on.

Anyway, here's a card a made for a swap (of course).  It was supposed to be a multi-layered WOW swap.  I hope this is WOW enough for the swap.  What I might think is WOW, might be ho hum to others.

I used the paper from the Level 3 hostess bundle, Holiday Happenings.

Here's the recipe for this card:
Stamps: Say it with Scallops
Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Glossy White, Pink Pirouette, Kiwi Kiss
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Designer Series Paper: Holiday Happenings
Ribbon: 5/8" Chocolate Chip Gorsgrain
Accessories: White Gel Pen, Silver Brads
Tools: Scallop Border Punch, Paper Piercer, Scallop Square Punch

If you have any questions about this card, feel free to contact me at Michelle@stampworkshop.com.

Be sure to come back tomorrow for Ten Minute Tuesday.

Enjoy!

AFK

Yeah, that's me.  AFK - away from keyboard.

I never did post any further updates regarding Convention.  It's so sad.  There is some great stuff!  At Convention, I would stay up late and wake up early.  By the third day, I was totally non-functional.  I really did try to post, but I sat in the lobby of the Hilton and fell asleep with my laptop, well, in my lap!  lol

Convention totally wiped me.  As soon as I got home, I had to start getting ready for our family vacation.  Yes, I know, I just came back from Convention and now I am leaving again.

Note to self - do not schedule a family vacation a few days after Convention.

Anyway, I am bringing my laptop with me and I hope to be able to post.  The 11th is a big day and of course there are a ton of promos debuting that day.  How could I not post?  I'll have to find a Starbucks or a Panera.  I think my WiFi even works at select McDonald's locations.  It's sad when you go on vay-cay and can't bare to leave the laptop behind.  I swear I am attached to this thing!

Well, if you don't hear from me, now you know why.  We'll be out until the 18th.  I should log off now.  I have to finish packing and get the house straightened out.  My housesitter will get lost in this mess if I don't get to cleaning!

Oh!  I did manage to update the Convention Album with some pictures.  It's just the pictures without descriptions, but you'll get the idea.  Check out these 2 pictures of me pointing at some cards.  I found two of my cards on the display boards at Convention.  Wooohooo!  BTW, these are definitely not the best pictures of me.  I crawled under the barriers to get this close.  I didn't have time to pose and look all pretty.  I was scared the SU police were going to scold me for ignoring the barrier!

Check it out: Convention Album

See ya in a bit!

Off to Convention I Go!

So here are my swaps.  It's past 1:30am and I still have a couple more things to do before I leave for Convention.

Even though I don't have much time, I couldn't resist posting to the blog.  So, here is a picture of all the swaps I am doing (I have two album swaps that are not on the table here.).

When I get back, I will post these cards in detail, with close up pictures and directions.

I have decided to bring my laptop with me, but I can't promise that I'll be posting much.  There is so much to do at Convention and my free time "social calendar" is booked!

Well, I'm off to box up these swaps.

See you later!

Come and Meet This Week's Featured Stamper!

I had the pleasure of "meeting" this week's featured stamper in a Sisterhood that we both joined - the Sisterhood of the Stamping Bloggers.  We've been visiting each other's blogs now for a few months, and I have grown to really admire the stamping she has done.

Please welcome this week's featured stamper:

Louise Forsyth

Louise Forsyth (aka loulou31) is a New Zealand Stampin' Up! Demo.  She is the author of the blog - Louise? Yeah that's me!

Here's what Louise says about herself...

My name is Louise Forsyth and I am a Stampin'Up demo here in New Zealand. I am also a Stay at home mum to three boys.  Stampin'Up is relatively new here, it arrived in April last year and I signed up in September.  I stamp because I love having a quick and easy outlet for  my need to sometimes embrace the girly things in life as I am surrounded by boys, even my cat is a male!  I love being able to make my family and friends gifts and cards that are one of a kind, and the bonus is I made them.  I am also a  bit of a fanatical scrapbooker, which I have been doing since I was pregnant with my first son in 05, I LOVE IT! I think it is so fantastic to be able to add a personal touch to photos and also tell a story which may be appreciated years from now.

I take classes and do workshops locally which keeps me busy. I love learning new techniques and adore playing with new products.

Michelle: How long have you been a stamper?

Louise: I have only been stamping since becoming an SU demo last year.

Michelle: What was the first Stampin' Up! stamp set your purchased and what drew you to it?

Louise: Seeing Spots, I saw it used by Ali Edwards on a layout in "Creating Keepsakes" back in 05, I was so stoked when I saw that Stampin' Up was in NZ as I had been hanging out for this set, I rang the toll free number, got my nearest demos phone number and rang her and ordered it! BTW that demo is now my wonderful upline!

Michelle: Which color family do you find you use most often?

Louise: I would say Soft Subtles, although I am loving our in-colours at the moment.. We are a little behind you and have only just got groovy guava, wild wasabi etc

Michelle: What Stampin' Up! tool do you find the most useful?

Louise: My edge distresser, I use it all the time.  So much it has become a bit of a joke with some of my class ladies.

Did you enjoy Louise's interview?  I finally decided to change up the interview questions!

And now for you viewing pleasure, take a look at some of Louise's Stampin Up! creations...

Don't you just LOVE that dragonfly?  It is the cutest!

Thank you to Louise for sharing her wonderful creations with us!  Don't forget to leave Louise a comment.  Let her know what you think!

Don't forget to check out her blog - Louise? Yeah that's me!

Thanks for reading!!

Meet This Week's Featured Stamper - Nicole!

If you are a Stampin' Up Demo, you can find this week's featured stamper on Splitcoast hosting the Friday Demo Challenge - Demonstratable 3-D projects.  As a former host of the Demo Challenges, I was able to work behind the scenes with our featured stamper.  Her talent as a hostess and as a stamper is amazing.

Please join me in welcoming this week's featured stamper:

Nicole Cooke

Nicole Cooke aka Stampin' Library Girl is a Stampin' Up! Demo and like last week's featured stamper, contributes to a couple of design teams.  Check out her blog - The Stampin' Librarian

Read on for more about Nicole...

My name is Nicole Cooke, otherwise known as Stampin' Library Girl / The Stampin' Librarian.  I am indeed a librarian (I have had many ask me, "Are you a really a librarian?")  :D   I am a Jersey girl, and I currently work in an academic library in northern New Jersey, not too far from New York City.  And soon, I will also be a full time Ph.D. student.  Hopefully, that won't cut into my stamping / crafting / therapy time too much!

I love to make cards, and I have recently gotten into digital scrap booking, but my passion really lies with altering projects, making 3D items and stamping on non-traditional surfaces (i.e., fabric, tile, glass, etc.).  I am a hobby demo for Stampin' Up! and have taught some classes at my local stamp store.  I am also a design team member for Kitchen Sink Stamps and Scrapmagasinet Stamps. 

I'm constantly taking stamping and project classes - I love getting new ideas and learning new techniques.  I'm looking forward to this year's Stampin' Up! convention (my third).  There's nothing like a live SU! event!  :D

Michelle: When were you first introduced to Stampin' Up!?

Nicole: I've always been into crafts (jewelry and needle crafts), since I was a little kid.  I didn't get into stamping until 2003 when I bought some used SU! sets off eBay (I know, gasp! : ) because I wanted to make a wedding card, and I dabbled off and on until 2005 when I became a demo - that's when the obsession set in, LOL!  In late 2006, I decided to become serious about my art.  When I made that conscious decision, I started my blog and I really started growing in my work, working outside of my comfort zone, and thinking "outside of the box" when it comes to stamping and artwork.

Michelle: What's your favorite all time SU stamp set?

Nicole: Ask a hard question, why don't you?  :D  I can never have to many floral or sentiment sets.  But I'd have to say that my all time favorite SU! set is Bodacious Bouquet.

Michelle: What's your favorite SU color?

Nicole: I love all things, pink!  Pink Passion is my favorite SU! color.

Michelle: What's your favorite SU embellishment?

Nicole: My favorite accessory is ribbon, hands down!  The more ribbon, the better  :D  I especially love the wider ribbons, and some of the striped and patterned ribbons we've seen in some of the mini catalogs.

I hope you enjoyed Nicole's interview. Now take a look at some of her Stampin' Up! artwork!

Take a minute and leave a comment for Nicole!  She is a wonderful artist, and I thank her for letting me feature her on my blog!

Don't forget to check out her blog - The Stampin' Librarian

Thanks for reading!!

Celebrate Pocket Card

Here is a pocket card I made.  I like the bright colors on this one.  The hint of pumpkin is just right to break down the monotone blue.

To make a pocket card, start off with a standard A2 size card ( 4 1/4" X 5 1/2").  Score about 1 1/2" down along the open, long side.  Fold over.  Then cut about 1" off of the flap.  Use brads to secure the folded piece to the back piece.  This step forms your pocket.  Cut a piece of cardstock to the desired size to use at the insert.  Decorate as needed.  Done!

These quick cards are great for party invitations and birthday cards.  Maybe even attach a gift card to the insert - a gift card holder!

Here's the recipe for this card:

Stamps: Party Hearty
Cardstock: Brilliant Blue, Bashful Blue, Pumpkin Pie, Very Vanilla
Ink: Brilliant Blue, Bashful Blue, Pumpkin Pie
Designer Series Paper: Azure
Ribbon: Pumpkin Pie Grosgrain, Very Vanilla Grosgrain
Accessories: Pumpkin Pie Brads, Dimensionals
Tools: Paper Piercer, Corner Rounder Punch, Scalloped Circle Punch, 3/4" Circle Punch, 1 1/4" Circle Punch,  Distresser Tool, Pumpkin Pie Marker

Leave me a comment and let me know what you think!

If you need help with the directions on how to make a pocket card, feel free to contact me at Michelle@stampworkshop.com

Enjoy!

WOW Embrace

This is my Wow It Wednesday card for this week.  I will be swapping this little Love Note at Convention.  All I did was add five little things to yesterday's Love Note and it looks so different!

Here's the recipe for this card:
Stamps: Embrace Life
Cardstock: Gable Green, Pretty in Pink, Very Vanilla, Basic Black
Ink: Stazon Jet Black, Pretty in Pink
Accessories: Gable Green Brads
Tools: Distresser Tool, Paper Piercer, Paper Piercing Template

Here's what was added to this card:

• A Basic Black layer under the main image
• Distressed edges on the pink and vanilla layers
• Paper piercing in the corners of the pink and vanilla layers
• A Gable Green brad in the bottom right corner of the main image.

And that was it!  Please feel free to contact me with questions at Michelle@stampworkshop.com. I'd love to hear from you!

Happy Stampin'!

Ten Minute Embrace

This week's Ten Minute card is a being posted a bit late in the day.  I am working on swaps as Convention is two weeks away!  I really have to get on the ball and crank out these swaps!

Today's card took about five minutes to make.  It is the "base" design of one of my Convention swaps.  This is a cute little Love Note sized 3" X 3" card.  Most of the time was spent on using an aquapainter to color in the cherry blossoms.

Don't forget to check back tomorrow.  I've WOWed this little love note up.  It'll be one of the cards I use in a hosted Convention swap.

Here's the recipe for this card:
Stamps: Embrace Life
Cardstock: Gable Green, Pretty in Pink, Very Vanilla
Ink: Stazon Jet Black, Pretty in Pink

Here's how to make this card:

• Cut the card base 3" X 6" and fold in half.
• Measure out a Pretty in Pink piece that is 1/8" smaller than the face of the card
• Stamp the Cherry Blossom image on a 2" X 2.25" piece of Very Vanilla
• Adhere the vanilla layer in the top middle of the pink square
• Adhere the pink square to the green base
• Stamp Embrace Live sentiment in the bottom right hand corner

Don't forget!  If you have a suggestion for a 10 minute card, or if you want to design one for me to "WOW" on Wednesday, feel free to contact me at Michelle@stampworkshop.com. Guest designers are always welcome!

Visit tomorrow!

Lori Tecler - This Week's Featured Stamper!

This week's featured stamper is someone who I have had the chance to swap with on a few occasions.  She has a distinctive style.  I could always pick her cards out of a pile of swap cards.  I was just drawn to them!

I am very pleased to introduce this week's Featured Stamper:

Lori Tecler

Lori Tecler aka ltecler is a Stampin' up! Demo and contributes to a couple of design teams.  You can see some of her work on her blog Inking Aloud.

Here's Lori's bio...

I never considered myself a "crafty" kind of person. In fact, as a kindergarten teacher, I always had kids criticizing my drawings ("That doesn't look like a dog at all . . ."). So, it's somewhat surprising to me that I've become such an avid stamper.

Like I said, I'm a teacher by profession, and currently work in the early childhood office in a large school district in the DC suburbs. I just (this week!) finished work on a masters degree in instructional technology, so we'll see where I end up next.

When I'm not at my day job, I'm an SU! demo and work on design teams for Kitchen Sink Stamps and Clear & Simple Stamps.

I live in Maryland with my adorable but crazy German shepherd/golden retriever mix, Cosmo. He is always getting into some kind of trouble and really keeps me on my toes!

Michelle: When were you first introduced to Stampin' Up!?

Lori: My best friend Michele introduced me to stamping at an Stampin' Up! party at her house about 5 years ago. She signed up to become a demo and I became her best customer. Eventually, I decided to sign up as a demo myself and I'm thrilled that I did. I've enjoyed all the training opportunities (regional seminars and conventions) and meeting lots of great people in the stamping community.

Michelle: What's your favorite all time SU stamp set?

Lori: That's such a hard question! My favorites seem to change all the time depending on the season and who I'm creating for. I think my all-time favorite might be Stem Silhouettes from one of the recent mini catalogs. It is a great all-purpose set and is so easy to use.

Michelle: What's your favorite SU color?

Lori: I love blue! Right now, my favorite color is Soft Sky. I hope to fall in love with one of the new blue In Colors once my preview order arrives next week.

Michelle: What's your favorite SU embellishment?

Lori: I love SU!'s ribbons. The wide grosgrains have really grown on me--I hated them at first and couldn't figure out how to use them, but now I reach for them all the time. I love the taffeta ribbons, too. They're so elegant.

I am happy to be able to share with you, some of Lori's artwork.  Take a look!

Thanks to Lori for being my featured stamper this week.  And thank you for reading!

Check out Lori's blog, Inking Aloud.

Go Stamp!

Turquoise Wowed!

This is my Wow It Wednesday card for this week.  I took the card from yesterday (Turquoise in Ten) and wowed it up just a bit.  Five little additions and the card looks so different.  I didn't change anything about the layout, just added some layers and brads!  It's a lot easier than you'd think!

Here's the recipe for this card:
Stamps: Always, Paisley
Cardstock: Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White, Close to Cocoa
Ink: Tempting Turquoise
Designer Series Paper: Old Olive Prints
Ribbon: Tempting Turquoise Grosgrain
Accessories: Old Olive and tempting Turquoise Brads
Tools: Distresser Tool, Paper Piercer, Paper Piercing Template

Here's what was added to this card:

• A Close to Cocoa layer was stamped with Paisley using Versamark ink
• A Whisper White layer was added behind the Old Olive Prints.  The edges were distressed,
• The bird image on Whisper White was layered with Tempting Turquoise
• The strip element was adhered using dimensional tape.  The bird layer was attached to that also using dimensional.
• Brads were added to the two layers as shown

If you have a suggestion for a 10 minute card, or if you want to design one for me to "WOW" on Wednesday, feel free to contact me at Michelle@stampworkshop.com. I'd love to see what you can come up with!

See you tomorrow!

Turquoise in Ten

Here's my quick card for Ten Minute Tuesday.  I just love this bird from the Always set.  The flourishes and flowers on the bottom of this little guy are such a neat touch.  I like that this stamp works with so many different sentiments.  Depending on the color you use for the bird, it can be a bright springy card, or if you go with a darker color, it would make a great fall card.

Don't forget to check back tomorrow.  At that time, I'll simply WOW up the card a bit to give you a whole new card.

Here's the recipe for this card:
Stamps: Always
Cardstock: Tempting Turquoise, Whisper White
Ink: Tempting Turquoise
Designer Series Paper: Old Olive Prints
Ribbon: Tempting Turquoise Grosgrain
Tools: Distresser Tool

Here's how to make this card:

• Cut your card base from Tempting Turquoise
• Measure out a 3.25" X 2.25" piece of Whisper White cardstock
• Stamp the bird image and the sentiment directly below it in Tempting Turquoise
• Distress the edges of the Whisper White Piece
• Cut a 1.75" X 5.5" strip of Old Olive Print DSP
• Tie some Tempting Turquoise Ribbon around the Old Olive strip.
• Adhere the Old Olive strip to the center of the card.
• Adhere the Whisper White Piece directly onto the Old Olive strip, place it to the right of center

If you have a suggestion for a 10 minute card, or if you want to design one for me to "WOW" on Wednesday, feel free to contact me at Michelle@stampworkshop.com. I'd love to see what you can come up with!

See you tomorrow!

This Week's Featured Stamper - Vera!

I am so thrilled to feature one of my favorite stampers this week!  She has a constant presence on Splitcoaststampers, and you can find many of her creations gracing the challenge threads.

I am very pleased to introduce this week's Featured Stamper:

Vera Schoeters

Vera Schoeters aka Vera (on Splitcoaststampers) is a also a Stampin' Up! demonstrator and has a great eye for color.  You can find her artwork in her gallery on SCS and on her blog Vera Stamps.

Here's a little bit about Vera...

As a kid, I used to play with ink pads and a rubber stamp alphabet, pretending I was working at my uncle's print shop. Who would have thought I would be playing with rubber stamps again all these years later.

I became a Stampin' Up! demonstrator in January 2006 and since then I have enjoyed sharing the fun of rubber stamping at workshops and classes.

I'm originally from Antwerp, Belgium and came to the US after I graduated college with a degree in Dutch, English and German translation. My husband and I live in Columbia, Maryland and we love it here. We enjoy walking and bicycling on the many trails in the area. I work as a computer consultant in Baltimore.

Michelle: When were you first introduced to Stampin' Up!?

Vera: I was invited to my first SU party by a neighbor, shortly after moving here in 2000. I fell in love with rubber stamping right away, and ordered supplies to make my own Christmas cards that year.

Michelle: What's your favorite all time SU stamp set?

Vera: I would have to say Lovely as A Tree is my all-time favorite. You can make so many different types of cards (e.g. masculine birthday, Christmas, sympathy, Father's Day) and use so many different stamping techniques with this set.

Michelle: What's your favorite SU color?

Vera: Although I haven't seen the ink or paper for myself yet (only printed in Stampin' Up!'s magazine), I believe Riding Hood Red will be my favorite SU color this year.  I love making Christmas cards, and this color is just perfect for them!

Michelle: What's your favorite SU embellishment?

Vera: I love all the ribbons, but especially the taffeta ribbon - it's just so elegant, and very easy to use as well.

Here is some of Vera's wonderful artwork.  Vera made this Fourth of July card just for this feature!  I'm so excited to be able share it with you!  Also, check out the great Holiday card she made.  It uses Lovely as a Tree.  Just gorgeous!

If you want to check out another really wonderful project that Vera made, check out my December 13, 2007 post.  She sent me a great altered clipboard for the holidays!

Thanks for reading this little glimpse of Vera.  And a big THANK YOU to Vera for graciously allowing me to feature her on my blog!

Check out Vera's blog, Vera Stamps. Great blog!

Happy Fourth!

New Feature Part 2 - Wow It Wednesday

Here is the second part of the new feature on my blog.  Wow It Wednesday.  Every Wednesday, I will take the 10 minute card that was made on Tuesday and wow it up a bit.  This card will be just a little more time consuming (more than 10 minutes).  It'll show you that just adding a few elements here and there will give you a whole new card!

Here's the recipe for this card:
Stamps: En Francais, Fresh Cut
Cardstock: Basic Black, Whisper White, Certainly Celery
Ink: Basic Black, Certainly Celery
Designer Series Paper: None
Ribbon: Certainly Celery 5/8" Grosgrain
Accessories: Basic Brads, Vintage Brads, Certainly Celery Marker
Tools: Ticket Punch, Distresser Tool, Paper Piercing Tool, Paper Piercing template

Here's what was added:

• A Whisper White layer was cut just .125" shorter on one long side and one short side than the main Basic Black base and its edges were distressed.
• Paper pierced along the entire edge of the Certainly Celery layer.
• Brads were added to the corners.
• A new focal point was added by stamping an image on Whisper White.  Color was added with a Certainly Celery marker.  The edges were distressed and punched with a ticket corner punch.
• This was then mounted on a basic black layer and brads were added to match the main layering.

And that's it!  A wowed up card.

If you have any questions about this card, feel free to contact me at Michelle@stampworkshop.com

Check back tomorrow!

Another New Feature - Ten Minute Tuesday

I want to introduce to you another new feature on my blog.  Ten Minute Tuesday.  Every Tuesday, I will create and post a  card that can be done in 10 minutes.  These  cards will be ones that you can easily reproduce quickly and with limited supplies.

Check back tomorrow and every Wednesday for another new feature - Wow It Wednesday.  Tomorrow, I'll simply WOW up the card a bit!

Here's the recipe for this card:
Stamps: En Francais, Fresh Cut
Cardstock: Basic Black, Certainly Celery
Ink: Basic Black, Certainly Celery
Designer Series Paper: None
Ribbon: Certainly Celery 5/8" Grosgrain
Accessories: None
Tools: Ticket Punch

Here's how to make this card:

• Cut Basic Black base to standard card size.
• Cut Certainly Celery short by 1/4" on one long side and one short side.
• Stamp the background.
• Tie the ribbon around the bottom.
• Adhere the Celery layer to the base.
• Stamp the sentiment and you're done!

If you have any questions about this card, feel free to contact me at Michelle@stampworkshop.com

Check back tomorrow!

Convention 2006

You might be wondering why I am posting about something that happened almost two years ago.  Well, there are two reasons.  One, I have been revamping my craft room (pictures to come in a week or so), and I found these old swap cards.  And two, I am going to Convention at the end of July, and it is coming up.  I have signed up for a TON of swaps (so many in fact, that off the top of my head, I don't know exactly how many).  So, Convention swaps are on my mind.

Any way, I made these two cards for the Splitcoast dinner.  I was very proud of these cards.  I was a demo for less than a year at this point and for me, they were some of the best cards I had ever done.  This one here on the left used Mixed Bouquet and the Luminous Pearls technique.  If you'd like to see a bigger picture of this one, you can find it here.

The colors on this card are Certainly Celery, Regal Rose and Basic Black.  I just love how black always seems to make colors pop.

Here is the second card that I made.  This one used Natural Beauty and the Heated Pearls technique and crayon resist.  I was very bummed when Stampin' Up! retired PearlEx from their catalog.  There are so many wonderful and beautiful techniques that can be done with it.  I can't seem to remember the colors that I used in this card, but I think it was Always Artichoke, Basic Black, Really Rust and More Mustard.

If you want to see a more detailed pic of this card, you can find this one here.

Oh!  One thing I forgot to mention...

I have started a non-SU blog.  There isn't much on it, since mainly use Stampin' Up! products.  But if you'd like to take a look, visit my non-SU blog at http://sdiegogal.blogs.splitcoaststampers.com.  I'm calling it "The Stamp Workshop Annex".

If you have any questions about these cards, feel free to contact me at Michelle@stampworkshop.com

Reminisce!

Fresh Cut - An Upcoming New Set!

Here's a glimpse of the upcoming set Fresh Cut.  It will appear in the Fall Winter 2008 Catalog.

Notice the cute note card!  It is 4" X 4".  The large flower in the middle is laser cut.  They are called Fresh Cut Notes and will also be in the upcoming catalog.

Would you like to have this set before the catalog comes out?  Well, you can!  You can order this set from June 1 - 30.

To see the details of this promotion, check out the right hand side of this blog under Current Specials.  Then click on Fresh Cut Sneak Peek Promotion.  You'll find all the details there.  While you're at it, click on the eScape link and see what that's all about.  Two great promotions for June!

Here's the recipe for this card:
Stamps: Fresh Cut
Cardstock: Bashful Blue
Ink: Bashful Blue, Basic Black
Designer Series Paper: Le Jardin
Ribbon: Bashful Blue Grosgrain
Accessories: Fresh Cut Notes, Ice Rhinestone Brad
Tools: 5-Petal Flower Punch, Paper Piercing Tool, paper Piercing Template

As always, contact me if you have any questions on how to make this card.  Email me at Michelle@stampworkshop.com

Have a FRESH day!

French Flower

Here is one of the last cards I did for SoCal Stamp Mania.  To give this card a little dimension, I stamped the flower and then cut it out.  Then I stamped the flower again.  I curled the petals of the flower upward and then adhered the cut out flower with a pop dot.  The center part of the flower was made with the Build-A-Brad brads.

Here's the recipe for this card:
Stamps: One of  a Kind, En Francais, Carte Postale
Cardstock: Rose Red, Basic Black, Shimmery White
Ink: Jet Black StazOn, Versamark
Accessories: Pewter Build-A-Brad
Tools: Paper Snips

If you have any questions about this card, feel free to contact me at Michelle@stampworkshop.com

Bonjour!

Springy Celebration

Here is card number 4 out of the 6 swaps I did for SoCal Stamp Mania.  I don't usually use "Spring" colors, but I thought this paper was just so pretty!

I like to recycle layouts.  Why no reuse what you like??  If you take a peek at a couple days back, this layout is the same as my Happy Silhouettes card.  It is just flipped 180 degrees.

I consider myself to be pretty uncreative so I get my ideas from SplitCoastStampers and Stampin' Up!.  I took this layout from one of the sketch challenges on SCS.  I don't know that I've ever really come out with a layout that was all my own.  The closest I've done to making my own layout is mixing up certain elements of several card sketches.  Good thing I have SplitCoast and Stampin' Up!  SU makes it easy to coordinate my colors and SCS helps me to layout my cards.

Here's the recipe for this card:
Stamps: Celebrate Everything
Cardstock: So Saffron, Pretty in Pink, Certainly Celery
Ink: Pretty in Pink
Designer Series Paper: Spring Fling
Ribbon: Certainly Celery Grosgrain
Accessories: Gold Brads
Tools: Paper Piercer, Distresser Tool

If you have any questions about this card, feel free to contact me at Michelle@stampworkshop.com

Have a Springy Day!

Preppy Birthday

If you are one of my regular viewers, you know how much I love using Stampin' Up! Designer Series Paper.  No matter which DSP you use, it always makes for an easy card that doesn't necessarily look easy.

This was another swap card I made for SoCal Stamp Mania.  The East Coast Prep DSP makes for some very festive birthday cards and scrapbook pages.  How could I not pair up this paper with the upcoming set Party Hearty?

You can't really tell in this picture, but the present in the center of the "b" is raised to give the card some dimension.

Here's the recipe for this card:
Stamps: Party Hearty (from the upcoming Fall Winter 08 Collection)
Cardstock: Whisper White, Tempting Turquoise
Ink: Tempting Turquoise, Wild Wasabi
Designer Series Paper: East Coast Prep
Ribbon: Real Red Striped Grosgrain
Accessories: Pop Dots
Tools: Distresser Tool

If you have any questions about this card, feel free to contact me at Michelle@stampworkshop.com

Have a Preppy Day!

Happy Silhouettes

Here's a look at another swap I did for SoCal Stamp Mania.  BTW, if you are in SoCal consider going next year!  Meet your stampin' neighbors!

I love making cards with Designer Series paper.  The color combos are flawless and it makes for a quick card!

Here's the recipe for this card:
Stamps: Happy Everything
Cardstock: Soft Sky, Wild Wasabi, Very Vanilla
Ink: Soft Sky
Designer Series Paper: Spring Silhouettes
Ribbon: Soft Sky Double Stitched Grosgrain
Accessories: Half Pearl from Pretties Kit 

If you have any questions about this card, feel free to contact me at Michelle@stampworkshop.com

Enjoy!

Happy Birthday to Me!

In my last post, I had said that I was going to be posting my swaps for SoCal Stamp Mania.  Well, I had good intentions of posting all week, but we got a touch of the stomach flu here and it put me out for most of last week.  I did manage to get better and finish all my swaps - the day before Stamp Mania!  Anyway, here is the first of my swap cards.

I saw a card with woven ribbon on Kristina's blog.  I thought it was SO neat!  Of course I had to try weaving and put it on one of my swap cards!  Kristina has a great video tutorial on how do weave the ribbon.  When you have a chance take a peek at Kristina's blog.  Great stuff!

Here's the recipe for this card:
Stamps: Sincere Salutations
Cardstock: Basic Black, Whisper White
Ink: StazOn Jet Black
Designer Series Paper: Spring Silhouettes
Ribbon: 5/8" Certainly Celery Grosgrain
Accessories: Pretties Kit, Ice Round Rhinestone Brad
Tools: Distresser Tool, Paper Piercing Tool

As always, contact me if you have any questions on how to make this card.

As you can see, it is Marketplace Monday!  Here's a recap of the two great promos Stampin' Up! is having through April 30.

• Earn a free Jumbo wheel!
• Earn $25 in free hostess benefits!

Click here for all the details.

Nah nah nah nah.  You say it's your birthday!  Well, it's my birthday too!  (That was supposed to be me singing)  Yup!  It's my birthday!  I'm 38 today!  Yeah, I just said my age.  No big deal.  *wink*

So, in honor of my birthday, I am spreading the love!  Place any order today through the end of the week (Friday, April 25) and get 20% off your merchandise total.   (Here's the small print... the 20% is off the merchandise total only.  Sales tax and S&H are not included in the discount.  This offer is good in the US only.)

Use the form on the right hand side to place your order or email me at Michelle@stampworkshop.com

Have a GREAT day!

Card #8 - Chocolate Joy

Hope you've been enjoying my trip down memory lane!  Here is the last card...

This is another set that I just had to have once I saw it.  This bear is SO cute!  He's cut out and raised up on pop dots.  This Au Chocolat DSP was so hot when it first came out.  I was very bummed when it didn't make the cut!

Here's the recipe for this card:
Stamps: Bundle of Joy
Cardstock: Chocolate Chip, Close to Cocoa, Very Vanilla, Nautrals Ivory
Ink: Chocolate Chip
Designer Series Paper: Au Chocolat
Ribbon: Light Brown Gingham Ribbon
Accessories: Pop Dots
Tools: Paper Piercer, Coluzzle (for circles), Oval Punches, Distresser Tool, Pastels

If you have any questions about this card, feel free to contact me at Michelle@stampworkshop.com

Have a great day!